The Houston Dynamo head into 2023 looking to return to the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017.
New head coach Ben Olsen has been busy strengthening his roster, making additions in key areas in the hope of hardening Houston’s weak underbelly and giving them more bite in attack.
It’s going to be a tough ask for the Dynamo in such a competitive Western Conference, but anything can happen in Major League Soccer and no team can be written off.
So, here’s everything you need to know about the Houston Dynamo ahead of the new MLS season, including tactics, key players, and predictions.
Transfers in
|
Player |
Former Club |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Amine Bassi |
FC Metz |
$1.6m |
|
Artur |
Columbus Crew |
Free transfer |
|
Brad Smith |
DC United |
Free transfer |
|
Franco Escobar |
LAFC |
Free transfer |
|
Andrew Tarbell |
Austin FC |
Free transfer |
|
Charles Auguste |
CU Bluejays |
Free transfer |
|
Ifunanyachi Achara |
Toronto FC |
Draft |
|
Frantz Pierrot |
UConn Huskies |
Draft |
|
Ivan Franco |
Libertad |
Loan |
|
Djevencio van der Kust |
FC Utrecht |
Loan |
Transfers out
|
Player |
Club Joined |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Tim Parker |
St. Louis CITY SC |
$500k |
|
Adam Lundqvist |
Austin FC |
$500k |
|
Fafa Picault |
Nashville SC |
$250k |
|
Memo Rodriguez |
LAFC |
Free transfer |
|
Zeca |
EC Vitoria |
Free transfer |
|
Joe Corona |
San Diego Loyal |
Free transfer |
|
Zarek Valentin |
Minnesota United |
Free transfer |
|
Marcelo Palomino |
AFC Eskilstuna |
Free transfer |
|
Darwin Quintero |
CD America |
Free transfer |
|
Darwin Ceren |
CD Aguila |
Free transfer |
|
Frantz Pierrot |
Athlone Town |
Free transfer |
|
Matias Vera |
Argentinos Juniors |
Loan |
|
Mateo Bajamich |
Estudiantes RC |
Loan |
|
Sam Junqua |
– |
Released |
|
Ian Hoffmann |
– |
Released |
Olsen switched regularly between three and four-at-the-back systems toward the end of his long reign as DC United head coach, while at the end of last season, the Dynamo mainly used 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 shapes.
Based on what the Dynamo currently have available, we’re expecting a 4-2-3-1 system that’ll likely see Hector Herrera and Adalberto Carrasquilla provide the platform with and without the ball, while new signing Amine Bassi will try to connect with the wingers and star forward Sebastian Ferreira.
The Dynamo actually look quite healthy at full-back, too, with the additions of Franco Escobar, Djevencio van der Kust and, when back fit, Brad Smith, so you can expect some width and dynamism in that area, too.
Houston Dynamo predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Clark; Escobar, Hadebe, Steres, Van der Kust; Herrera, Carrasquilla; Baird, Ferreira, Franco.
Hector Herrera
Sebastian Ferreira is the attacking focal point of this team, but so much depends on the…
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